Adaptive Radiation Design
Includes diagnostic checklists, decision matrices, implementation roadmaps, and success metrics.
A comprehensive framework for diagnosing radiation potential, designing organizational structures that enable specialization, and managing the tension between diversification and focus. Includes diagnostic checklists, decision matrices, implementation roadmaps, and success metrics.
When to Use Adaptive Radiation Design
Use when planning organizational diversification, launching multiple ventures, or evaluating whether your company should radiate into new markets. Best suited for Series A through Series D companies ($2M-$50M ARR) with 15-200 employees and established product-market fit.
How to Apply
Prerequisites Check
Verify you meet framework prerequisites before proceeding.
Questions to Ask
- Has core product achieved product-market fit?
- Do modular capabilities exist or can be built?
- Is leadership aligned on diversification?
Outputs
- Go/no-go decision on using framework
Diagnose Radiation Potential
Use ecological opportunity, evolvability, and isolation feasibility checklists.
Outputs
- Decision matrix placement (Radiate/Reform/Build/Wait/Focus)
3-Week Sprint: Map Niche Landscape
Week 1: Identify niches. Week 2: Assess feasibility. Week 3: Prioritize and commit.
Outputs
- Prioritized list of 2-3 niches with business cases and kill criteria
Design Modular Architecture
Implement Platform Independence Model with shared infrastructure and independent products.
Outputs
- Platform team
- API contracts
- Venture team staffing
Choose Radiation Tempo
Select sequential (AWS model), parallel (Alphabet), or hybrid (Unilever) approach.
Outputs
- Launch sequence and criteria
Monitor and Prevent Failure
Track metrics (niche count, revenue concentration, isolation, extinction rate) and watch for failure modes.
Outputs
- Radiation health dashboard
- Action thresholds